Class 2012: Defensive power and skill, Jordan Kuziek will bring it all to UBC this fall

Since he first started playing at 8 years old for the Harewood Peewee Football team, Jordan Kuziek defensive game has taken him many places and his next path leads to UBC.

Jordan Kuziek

Position
Defensive Line, Tackle, Defensive Tackle

Height/Weight
6’5, 250 Lbs

Teams
Harewood Peewee Football team
Team BC
John Barsby Bulldogs (High school)

Commitment
University of British Columbia

Class 2012

When looking at a player like Jordan Kuziek, it is best to start where it all began. At the age of 8, he joined the Harewood Peewee Football team because a friend of his told him to come out and play. Little did the two know where the sport of football would one day take Jordan. “I can Honestly say I knew nothing about football. The first year was a bit rough just me not knowing where to be or what to do. That year I received ‘Most improved’ football player,” the BC native says.

After his first couple years, Jordan began to climb up through the system, moving from pee wee to bantam. “The thing I needed to get used to was bigger and faster opponents.” After Junior Bantam, it was time for Jordan to move up to high school where he knew the competition would be a lot more tough. Being the true athlete he is, Jordan looked at his future challenges, as nothing but fun.

High school brought Jordan a lot of success. Most evident example would be through the awards he claimed while being a member of the John Barsby Bulldogs. ” In grade 11, I received All-confernce Defensive tackle and “Most-sportsmanlike” player on the team.
Grade 12 I received AA Provincal Defensive MVP.” While in high school, Jordan represented his home province, playing for Team BC. While there he claimed defensive MVP in the bronze medal game, en route to the victory.

In 2010, Jordan won the BC Championship. This significant event is something that will always stay close to him. “It was a long road to get there and to be able to have to chance to play in the game, and be able to win it, was unreal. No matter how far I go in the world, That 2010 year will never be forgotten.”

There are many things that kept Jordan going through his career. Family and friends played such an intricate part, but if you ask Jordan which one person is most special, he would not hesitate to answer with a man who has been beside him since he was 8. “One person that has influenced my life the most is Larry Cooper. Larry has been my coach since I was 8 and has taught me alot about football but also life. It was a priviladge to be coached by him for so many years.”

As for what’s next, Jordan will be enrolled at UBC in the fall of 2012. There is no doubt that his defensive power will be welcomed with open arms by the Thunder Birds program.” My next step right now is to train twice as hard and get physically and mentally ready for University. I know University will not be easy but I’m ready for the challenge.” A focused mind but also a smart mind, Jordan knows that as important football is, his education is nothing to put in second, and is prepared for the student life, just as much as the football life. ” I will be taking Sociology at UBC and am going to become a youth social worker. I would love to play profesional football in the future but before I think about that I need to get my schooling complete just so I will have something to fall back on.”